*OZZO OZZO SENSATION* AND/OR DERAIL (Alternate title: WHYYYYY)

I would like to think so, but I'd rather not jeopardize the community we currently have in order to confirm.

I've seen that happen, actually. Though probably a bit worse than what you guys have experienced.

This one RPer in the chatroom I run was a huge douchebag who jealously prevented the girl he came with from being in any relationship IC that wasn't with one of his characters.
Seriously, he actively prevented her from playing with others, after a few sessions she just stopped playing with anyone else and we eventually found out that he was pretty much using emotional blackmail to keep her in line.

Needless to say, we banned his ass. Blew up his character ICly as well, since we sorta banned him mid-RP while his guy was talking to someone.

In a less serious case, someone killed off all the characters she had in a relationship with another RPer's guys because we had a "everything's a relationship and boring" phase and to help us get out of it he decided to cut off the relationships he was in. So, she just plain killed her involved characters. This included a woman with a newborn baby spontaneously combusting. Apparently they had trouble talking to each other for a while after that because she took personal offense to the break-ups...

...
I guess what I'm saying is, yeah.
IC relationships are serious business and you gotta be careful with 'em. I think everyone here is mature enough to avoid the serious pitfalls though.

Say, CuteCat... wanna invite those guys over too the Machinations of Light's Glory thread? We could use the extra bodies for a good lynching.

Especially as RPers invest themselves heavily into their characters, a character rejecting another character can feel like an attack on some aspect of their identity or personality. Attack the hero character they admire? Is it an attack on the ideals the hero represents or even the desire to follow that hero? Insult the character modeled after another aspect of their personality? An insult to the personality traits the RPer holds or of their interpretation of those traits.

The action may even make sense within the fictional universe, but it can easily be interpreted outside of it. That's why RPed romance is so damn touchy.

Wow am I grateful that none of that bullshit has broken out on the games I've run. Though I think the incredibly extensive character application process I've always put people through probably helps.

Are you batshit crazy? (Check one, required.) [ ] Yes [ ] No

The fact they're willing to fill out over a thousand words of character information as well as over two hundred about their personal interests re:plotlines and such pretty much guarantees they are, but it tends to weed out the most obvious drama hounds. The others get found out pretty fast because the most active players have as high an out-of-character drama tolerance as I do. (That is, none.)

Hmm. That is a legitimate concern. I'd assumed that everyone involved was aware that it's all pretend (I'm pretty sure it's some big in-joke by now), just like the way people often exaggerate for effect in their LPs, etc. Maybe I shouldn't assume things so easily. I haven't really done much actual(?) RP stuff so I wouldn't know.

Your application process would help quite a bit, vide. Explicitly stating the motivations and plotting the romantic relationships beforehand help underscore the difference between IC and OOC actions. It won't prevent all accidents, but at least it prevents some more basic aspects of miscommunication.

That's basically why I've kept it mostly unchanged for pretty much every game I've helped run for years. It doesn't stop everything, but it seems to keep the worst of the drama away if everyone going in has to sit down and think about what they want/are interested in before ever getting into play.

I take it that something bad has happened before for you to implement this process?

In any case, I can't say that drama has ever happened to me. I tend to lurk more than participate, usually, and broken forum would be one of the three excpetions I can name right off the head.

I never had any problem with that, since I can perfectly distinguish when the offense is directed at my IC and when it's directed at myself. As much as I can feel my character's feelings, is nothing I take seriously and turn into real drama.
The worst I ever had was a passionate discussion about which of our characters was right in a certain situation, but it didn't really harmed me any more than to be kinda pissed off about some of the person's ideals.

Not really, but I've watched games basically explode because the application processes were... Lacking. So I made sure mine wasn't.

I totally agree with you.

And personally I act in this forum as I would act with some real friends, I don't usually have a "character" that has some particular traits that I have to "stress". Probably it's also because I'm really bad at not taking myself seriously, and I know it's a bad thing, I envy those who are able to joke about themselves. I'm usually cut out from all those "acting like a family of friends", when I try to do it it doesn't come out natural to me, it seems forced. Even here the whole shipping thing is a bit overwhelming for me and I don't think I could handle it for a long time. I wish I could be more carefree >_>

Late, and completely off topic, but...

Also, thank you guys for just expanding on the shipping/RP. I don't ever post that much, and aren't really experienced with other forums, but um, if any shipping involving you makes you guys uncomfortable, please don't stay quiet. It's fun seeing all the craziness though, and I know this forum is awesome at knowing when to stop when it stops being fun. I'm blabbering now, but thanks again for taking this seriously. I just love you all for being able to derail to this, then crazy shenanigans again, and just being the good kind of crazy, awesome people that you are. Sorry I wrote too much, I'll go back to my corner now.

The RP relationship drama stuff is interesting to me, mostly because I never saw it. Spent, I dunno, a year and a half putting a stupid amount of time into a NWN RP community. Lots and lots of drama, but it was always of the rules-lawyering, power-gaming kind ([DM] gives too much xp! [Player] is too high level!). Now I'm wondering if I just never noticed the other sort of drama.

Agreement, Kie: the whole point of shipping is to have fun and express affection. If shipping makes you uncomfortable, then neither of the goals are being met, and you're feeling worse.

All the same, though, it's not just the responsibility of those being shipped to speak up. Notice someone suddenly drop out? Does the air feel competitive? Speak up -- before someone feels offended or backed into a corner.

I've seen a lot more OOC drama leaking into the IC plot than the other way around, really, which is why by now I'm only comfortable roleplaying with people I consider friends, but it's still a really, really good idea to let me know if/when I step out of line! I love how everyone here is so level-headed and communicative despite the hijinks <3

This forum is actually the first one where I've truly felt comfortable posting and interacting with others. Sappy as it sounds, I stumbled across BF during a difficult time in my life and it has helped me deal with the massive amount of stress I was under at that time. I've just recently started getting involved in some of the rp and such in threads, so if I ever overstep my bounds or do or say something that makes anyone uncomfortable, please just let me know and I will back off and apologize. I don't wish to cause anyone any distress or hurt.

Clearly I need to go back and read that thread.

To be clear, the like is for your situation and your happiness. Like I would really care about the community. Pfft!

You're well taken care of, Sara. <3

Also, yes; yes you should read that thread. SHENANIGANS, MAN!

I think the topic is "no one on this forum can be trusted with Ren'Py."

I agree.
Just wait for when I have time to make *Donmai Donmai Sensation*

Oh, If I ever met you in real life, I would probably hug you to death for that adorable statement.

Clearly I need to read this thread as well.

Yes. It is utter madness as per usual BF standards, which means it's fun as well.

Here, I even linked it for you.

Spoilers: I became a sandwich.
Those were the greatest few seconds of my life.

Since when was this even a spoiler?

I read the Sims thread a little while before I joined! I was so confused by everything because I didn't know what you people were like back then. They were good times.

Glad to hear BF helped you in its own way :)

This forum is the first one I've felt comfortable posting in...I'm an very cautious introvert, I guess. If I think there's too much potential for drama, flame wars, I back away immediately or I lurk warily.

Ozzo : You're making me want to go back and play Sensei's friend (but clearly not) end again. Tomokazu Sugita's voice is deadly.

You'll just have to bear with me until I'm done with the Nonary game in the January subforum.

Don't worry, you'll be back to your regularly scheduled, loving Garry sooner than you think. Now just follow my lead, Ib...

This forum is my first one and the only one I post in and it's enough and then some, what with all the constant whirlwind activity.

You wonder why I haven't gotten back to my LPs yet. <_<

Same. How can I possibly update when there's updates to read and new threads popping up?

What's the Nonary game (too tired to look it up right now)? You're rping as Sensei? *preparing the fangirl cheer*

Yo.

Some mysterious figure gassed me and forced me to play The Nonary Game.
Don't worry. It'll take more than a psycho game to take down an awesome guy like me.